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The Fletcher system was colonised during the First Exodus from Terra and was a member of the Federation of Oriente prior to the formation of the Free Worlds League.[6] Fletcher vanished from maps during the Dark Age,[7][8] indicating that the system had been abandoned or depopulated.

Fletcher II - more commonly known simply as Fletcher - is the second planet in the system and has a single moon named QUarrel. During the thirty-first century Fletcher was home to manufacturing facilities operated by at least two military manufacturers.[1][2] One of those facilities, an orbital dry-dock, was located at the L1 Lagrange Point above the planet.[2]

Fletcher was settled by colonists eager to exploit the mineral and metal ores located in the many mountain ranges that cover the world. These mountains served not only to provide the raw materials used by factories, but also provided some of the most impressive winter sports venues in the Free Worlds League. The downside to these vast mountain ranges was Fletcher's lack of arable land to grow crops. Only a few "boutique" farms existed, growing their luxury crops in small terraced farms. The population as a whole relied on imported foodstuffs.[1]

The Succession Wars were devastating to Fletcher reducing it's population dramatically not through direct combat, but from emigration. Few enemies could penetrate the vast mountain ranges, and as a result industries on the world have always thrived. During the Clan Invasion the population increased as the factories hired more workers and expanded. Free-Flight, Limited opened a pressurized dry-dock facility in low orbit around Fletcher in the mid-3060's.[1]

The Jihad was devastating to the system, but for a different reason. Instead of military action directly on the planet, holovid broadcasts describing the Word of Blake's actions on the Fletcher system in the Terran Corridor led many to believe that the Oriente system was devastated. The local government undertook a massive public relations campaign to clear up the confusion, but even in 3079 the depressed local economy led many natives to emigrate to other systems to find work.[2]

During the closing years of the Jihad rumors abounded on the planet that the Flame Tech plant was going to close, with the company moving production to their facility on Campbelton due to diminishing levels of demand. In contrast to the Flame Tech facilities, the pressurized orbital dry-dock operated by Free Flight, Ltd went from being a burden on the company to a viable industrial concern during the same period. Free Flight, Ltd had been unable to procure any government contracts for manufacturing WarShips in the years prior to the Jihad, but with so many large shipyards destroyed during the devastating conflict the dry-dock found itself servicing a constant stream of JumpShips that needed repair and maintenance.[2]